Skimmer

[PufferLover999]

I have some question about saltwater, I am thinking about making one when school slows down.

What is a good protein skimmer?
If i have a 30G what is a good size sump do i need?
Can you use canister filter for a sump?
Do I really need live sand?
30 Pounds of live rock?
What is a good type of light for reef tank?
What is the best substrate for a saltwater tank?
what type of powerhead would you recommend?

Thanks for reading the post and help.

[Aquarist]

What is a good protein skimmer? A thirty gallon tank does not call for a protein skimmer. I don't use protein skimmers in anything less than a 50g.
If i have a 30G what is a good size sump do i need? It depends on the species, is it a strict reef tank? Perhaps 10G.
Can you use canister filter for a sump? Use the canister filter for a screen filter/water movement. Use an overflow box to add carbon, etc.
Do I really need live sand? No, live sand is fake. Get any form of sand and Live rock will make it live.
30 Pounds of live rock? 30 pounds is acceptable if you do not have a puffer. For a puffer, I would go with 1.5 LBS/gallon. 45 lbs. As you stated it is a reef tank, 30 pounds will suffice so long as nothing in the tank has a heavy bioload.
What is a good type of light for reef tank? 250 watt Metal Halide/maybe a ballast?
What is the best substrate for a saltwater tank? Again, it depends on what you're looking for. Regular "sand" will work, but you can also use crushed coral to spike PH, etc.
what type of powerhead would you recommend? Koralia powerheads seem to work well.

[PufferLover999]

It is not just a reef tank but i want a pair of clown fish or gobies, something in that line.

Thanks for the information.

[Pufferpunk]

I used a Backpac on tanks <55g. I even had one on my 15g frag tank. A sump really isn't necessary though. A refugium might be made from an old HOB filter.

I'd go with 1 1/2-2lbs LR/g. don't forget the powerheads for flow around that rock. I love my Korilias!

Lighting all depends on what corals you intend to keep. I like fine, Southdown sand.

[PufferLover999]

What is a Backpac and a frag tank?...

[Pufferpunk]

Backpac is a brand of protein skimmer (type into your search bar) & a frag is a cut coral (fragment) to stored in a smaller tank to grow out into bigger corals or for sale.

[PufferLover999]

what is a good type of light?

[Pufferpunk]

Depends on the corals you plan on keeping.